Daughter

I remember the joy I had when I saw my daughter immediately after her birth. She became close to me always calling 'appa' She grew up still bleating Appa. When I used to sit in front of TV and watch programs squatting, she used to come and sit on my lap. I used to tease her. you are already 7 and like a small kid you are sitting on my lap. She used to laugh and say, even after my marriage, I shall come and sit on your lap. I used to be very happy. But she did not keep her promise!! By the time she became 11 she suddenly distanced herself from me physically. Now to my annoyance (!)she became close to Usha, my wife. Funny isn't it? That is father daughter relation for you. The girls grow fast, mature fast mentally and start ordering the father around! and he listens to her much to the annoyance of the mother. But Electra complex - is this it? Today she is 17 and she looks so different, I blurt out sometimes, hey are you the same kid who used to sit on my lap or sleep over my shoulder? But that is it. Whether it is son or daughter, you never know when they grow and become 'big' in the real sense. Is this what our role? Are we just being useful for their growth both mentally and physically? Then it is only hi and bye! Really this relationship.... huh!